QFI Celebrates Najib, Winner of the Arabic Short Story Contest

The Dilemma: Students Lack Confidence in Arabic

How does an Arabic language educator build student self-assurance and counter reservations around learning the Arabic language? For Najoua Ben Ramak, an Arabic language educator in North Carolina, this was the challenge she hoped to address through the growth of one of her students, Najib, an Advanced Learner–level student in her class. She was excited to have her students participate in the 2025 Arabic Short Story Contest this past spring, seeing it as an opportunity to boost their morale and show the relevance of the language beyond the classroom.

A Creative Outlet: The Contest Offers New Opportunities

Najoua was enthusiastic to have her students participate in the Qatar Foundation International (QFI) Arabic Short Story Contest. This contest, held from April to May 2025, is a cornerstone of QFI's mission to advance the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language. By inviting students to respond to an open-ended prompt, the contest provides a powerful, inclusive platform for all learners—heritage/native, and world language—to celebrate their connection to Arabic through the act of creation.

The Outcome: Student Learning Is Transformed

Najoua observed that although many of her students were hesitant at first—unsure of their writing abilities—they gradually began to see themselves as authors with stories worth sharing. The process built their confidence, sharpened communication skills, and nurtured empathy as they read and responded to one another’s work.

She explained that “the Short Story Contest became more than a writing activity; it was a celebration of creativity and identity.”

For Najoua, watching her students take ownership of their voices reminded her that authentic learning happens when students feel seen, heard, and inspired. “My students discovered that their words have power—that language can carry emotion, memory, and imagination across cultures.”

Najib’s Growth in the Arabic Language

This contest resulted in the work of one of this year's winners, Najib, a driven student in Najoua’s classroom.

Najib’s winning story, “The Creaky Attic,” reflects how his confidence blossomed throughout the contest. His achievement is a testament to his hard work, his teacher's encouragement, and the contest's ability to inspire creativity. Najib’s story shows that he not only strengthened his Arabic language skills but also found pride in his voice and abilities.

Experience the Achievement Firsthand

Ready to be inspired by the power of creative expression in Arabic?

This is a powerful result of turning academic study into artistic achievement.

A Critical Investment

The stories born from this contest are proof that with the right platform, students transform Arabic from an academic subject into a powerful medium for personal expression.

The success of Najib and his peers demonstrates that the QFI Short Story Contest is a critical investment in the Arabic education ecosystem. QFI is proud to celebrate these young writers—and the educators, like Najoua, who guide them—who are not only mastering the language but actively shaping its future as a dynamic, global language.

Stay tuned for more contests in the future!